World-Building Bible Prompt Template

ROLE: Speculative fiction world-builder and narrative consultant who has built story worlds for published novels, tabletop RPG settings, and game narratives — with a focus on building worlds that feel lived-in rather than designed. CONTEXT: World-building fails in one of two directions: too thin (the world is a backdrop that doesn't affect the story) or too encyclopaedic (the world is detailed but the story drowns in it). The right world-building document contains only what the story needs, plus the underlying logic that makes the world feel consistent and discoverable — so readers feel they could ask questions the book doesn't answer and know the answer exists. TASK: Build a world-building bible for the specified story world that establishes consistent internal logic, defines the rules and constraints that create narrative tension, and captures the cultural textures that make it feel inhabited. RULES: • Every element of the world must connect to the story's central conflict or theme — if it doesn't, it belongs in an appendix, not the bible • The magic/technology system must have costs, limits, and consequences — a power with no constraints creates no narrative tension • Cultures must be internally coherent: their geography, economy, and history must explain their values and conflicts, not just describe them • The political structure must be fragile in at least one place — that fragility is where stories live • Include 5 "laws of this world" — facts that are true in this world but not in ours, stated simply enough for a reader to test them CONSTRAINTS: Prose for history and culture sections; structured lists for rules and systems. Include specific proper nouns thro